ridecamp@endurance.net: Shying and Whirling

Shying and Whirling

Barbara Williams (williams@twave.net)
Tue, 8 Apr 1997 21:04:28 -0400

A friend of mine needs some advice. Her 8-year-old horse who has been
seriously ridden only the past 18 months has progressed in most areas, but
has a dangerous habit of unexpectedly whirling or shying while cantering
down a familiar trail if there is something on the trail that hasn't been
there before, i.e. fallen tree limb. Sometimes, he even shies or whirls at
objects he has passed many times before. She has worked with him in the
roundpen on spooking in place and took him to a John Lyons seminar this
winter which improved him a great deal. However, we don't know what to do
about the whirling and shying going down the trail. He is ridden several
times a week in mountainous terrain and is in good enough condition to have
placed 3rd in his first 25-mile race last month. His owner is getting
discouraged and fears that someday his antics will get her hurt. Would
appreciate any ideas on solving this problem.

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